Faith Perspectives

A Matter of Faith, Conscience and Justice

There are as many viewpoints and beliefs about issues having to do with our reproductive lives as there are denominations, clergy, and faith leaders. One thing you should know is that there is broad consensus that the moral agency of human beings – especially that of a woman when making decisions about her reproductive life – is God-given. One narrow, religious viewpoint is not representative of what most Americans believe.

We believe that decisions about our reproductive lives (such as whether or not to terminate a pregnancy) should be left to the person, in consultation with their loved ones, trusted medical professionals, and their faith.

Faith traditions such as the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist Association, and Reform, Reconstructionist and Conservative Judaism support reproductive choice as the most responsible position a religious institution can take on this issue. In fact, all have official statements in support of reproductive choice as a matter of conscience, adopted by their governing bodies. Together, these religions represent over 20 million Americans. Religious and religiously-affiliated organizations from these and other traditions, as well as independent religious organizations such as Catholics for Choice, are also doing incredible work to combat the notion that all religious people or institutions are always anti-abortion.